AD/HS 125/123 Amdt 1 - Wing Top Skin Panel

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, outlines various directives to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. One such directive is AD/HS 125/123 Amendment 1, which pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to address the problem of wing top skin corrosion in the area beneath the boundary layer fence, which was reported in certain models of the BAe 125 series. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the enacting body responsible for the safety and regulation of civil aviation in Australia, issued this amendment to mandate specific actions as outlined in the British Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-73 Revision 1. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure that the specified aircraft models comply with the updated safety requirements to prevent further corrosion issues, thus maintaining the overall safety standards of civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directives, as stipulated in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically address the safety and operational standards for aviation activities within Australia. One such directive, AD/HS 125/123 Amendment 1, pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes, inclusive of Models 125 up to and including Series 700A and 700B. This directive mandates that operators of these aircraft must undertake specific actions in accordance with British Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-73 Revision 1. The directive necessitates compliance unless the specified actions have already been completed prior to 31 August 1993, responding to reports of wing top skin corrosion in the area beneath the boundary layer fence. This directive applies to all relevant aircraft registered in Australia, ensuring they meet the necessary safety standards to maintain airworthiness. The scope of the directive extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, affecting all operators and owners of British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes within the specified model range. There are no exclusions or exemptions mentioned within the directive itself, though the specific actions required may vary based on the aircraft's condition and service history. The application of the directive can be further extended or specified through subordinate instruments, ensuring that it remains adaptable to new findings or changes in operational practices. This regulatory measure underscores the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in Australia's aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). AD/HS 125/123 Amendment 1 (AD 1993-123-1) pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes and addresses the issue of wing top skin panel corrosion. This AD applies to all Model 125 aircraft up to and including Series 700A and 700B (section 1). The directive requires aircraft operators to take action in accordance with British Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-73 Revision 1 (section 2). The compliance requirement is that these actions must be completed unless they have already been performed prior to 31 August 1993 (section 3). Under this legislation, the primary obligation imposed on aircraft operators is to adhere to the specific maintenance and repair instructions outlined in the referenced service bulletin. This involves inspecting and, if necessary, repairing or replacing the wing top skin panels to prevent corrosion, particularly in the area beneath the boundary layer fence. The directive aims to ensure that the affected aircraft continue to meet the required airworthiness standards and remain safe for operation (section 4). Failure to comply with AD/HS 125/123 Amendment 1 can result in significant consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with ADs generally can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. These actions may include the issuance of enforcement notices, fines, and potentially grounding the non-compliant aircraft until the required actions are completed. The severity of the penalties may depend on the extent of non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety (section 5).